The Top 10 DC/DC Converters
DC/DC converters are devices that convert a DC source from one voltage level to another. They’re a common element of everything from satellites, hybrid energy systems, portable electronic devices, and many more applications because they provide stable operation, high efficiency, greater reliability and also, different voltage and current levels for the same PCB design.
There are many different types of DC/DC converters. Buck converters are used to step-down voltages. Boost converters are used to step-up voltages. The flyback converter is a Buck–Boost converter that can step the voltage up or down, using a transformer to store energy instead of a single inductor. These converters are known as switching regulators, which are highly efficient (more than 80%) compared to linear regulators (40%-60%) while also often being enclosed in compact IC packages.
When selecting a DC/DC converter, designers should consider the input-output voltage relation, efficiency, input-output isolation, input voltage range, maximum output current, DC line/load regulation, and other factors.
Among the most popular DC/DC converters on SnapEDA, most have high efficiency (up to 90%) at high frequencies, wide input voltage range (around 2.2V to 40V) and wide operating temperature range. Some have adjustable output versions, thermal shutdown, current limit protection and a variety of switching frequencies. A few particular components present additional features, for example, ultralow EMI/EMC emissions, ultralow (2.5µA) quiescent current (such as with the LT8640EUDC#PBF by Linear Technology), automatic mode transitions, and programmable undervoltage lockout threshold (such as with the TPS61200DRCT by Texas Instruments).
Let’s take a look at the top 10 DC/DC converters on SnapEDA!
Note: this data was collected via SnapEDA’s analytics by looking at downloads from its part model library (symbols, footprints, and 3D models). Millions of parts are evaluated on SnapEDA annually, however, if a part isn’t in our database it will not show up on this list. We’re continually increasing coverage and will update this list periodically!
#10-LM2576D2TR4-5G
This Buck converter provides an output current of 3A, operating temperature: −40°C to 125°C, input voltage range: 7V to 45V, available in 5−pin TO−220 and a 5−pin surface mount D2PAK.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $1.68 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#9-R1SE-0505-R
This isolated DC/DC converter provides an output current of 200 mA, operating temperature:-40°C to 85°C, input voltage range: 4.5V to 5.5V, available in SMD package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $2.81 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#8-TSRN 1-2433
This non-isolated DC/DC converter provides an output current of 1 A, operating temperature:-40°C to +85°C, input voltage range: 4.6V to 42V, SIP-3 package fits existing TO-220 footprint.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $11.13 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#7-LM2678T-ADJ by Texas Instruments
This Buck converter provides an output current of 5 A, operating temperature:-40°C to +125°C, input voltage range: 8V to 40V, available in 7-pin TO-220 package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $4.00 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#6-TPS61200DRCT by Texas Instruments
This Boost converter provides an output current of 1.35 A, operating temperature:-40°C to +85°C, input voltage range: 0.3V to 5.5V, available in VSON-10 package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $2.52 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#5-LM5020SD-1/NOPB by Texas Instruments
This DC/DC converter provides an output current of 10 A, operating temperatures: -40°C to +125°C, input voltage range: 13V to 100V, available in VSSOP-10 and WSON-10 packages.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $1.63 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#4-SG3524N by STMicroelectronics
This DC/DC converter provides an output current of 50mA, operating temperatures: 0°C to 70°C, input voltage range: 8V to 40V, available in DIP-16 package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $0.87 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#3-LT8640EUDC#PBFby
This DC/DC converter provides an output current of 5 A, operating temperatures: -40°C to 125°C, input voltage range: 3.4V to 42V, available in QFN-18 package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $6.52 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
#2-LTC3114EFE-1#PBF
This Buck-Boost DC/DC converter provides an output current of 1 A, operating temperatures: -40°C to 125°C, input voltage range: 2.2V to 40V, available in 16-TSSOP package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $6.35 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
And the top DC/DC Converter on SnapEDA is…
#1-LM2576-5.0WU by Microchip
This Buck converter provides an output current of 3 A, operating temperatures: -40°C to 85°C, input voltage range: 4V to 40V, available in TO-263-5 package.
Average price across distributors at time of publish: $1.19 USD
Download Symbol & Footprint on SnapEDA (Eagle, Altium, OrCAD, Allegro, KiCad, PADS)
Comments (6)
david
August 17, 2017 at 3:23 pm
It would be nice to see the output voltages on the descriptions
Elizabeth Bustamante
August 18, 2017 at 1:15 am
Hi David,
We really appreciate your feedback and we’ll definitely include that next time.
troy
August 17, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Good article. One thing I had to look hard for was reverse input voltage protection. That would be a nice feature to list on future articles like this.
Elizabeth Bustamante
August 18, 2017 at 1:22 am
Hello Troy,
Thanks for your feedback! That’s an excellent feature to include in our next article. We’ll keep it in mind.
Mike Lam
September 29, 2019 at 2:10 am
Is that all converters you recommend that exceeds 90% conversion efficiency? And how much % of conversion rate is market-leading?
Faust
October 7, 2019 at 7:25 am
Hi Mike,
Not all converters in this list exceed 90% efficiency. The converters on this list averages at about 80%. There are other variants from this list that exceeds 90%. The top 2 and 3 converters have both +90% efficiency.
Of course, the ideal efficiency would be 100%, I’ve seen some components with 99% efficiency. Based on my research, the market-leading efficiency rate is 90%.
Hope this information could help.
Faust